Caitlin Clark 'Still Very Confident' in Pacers Winning NBA Finals Despite Game 4 Loss
Caitlin Clark remains firmly behind the Indiana Pacers in the NBA Finals, despite their disappointing 111-104 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder in Game 4 on Friday night to even the series at two games apiece.
Speaking to reporters ahead of her return to the court for the Indiana Fever on Saturday, Clark said she is "still very confident" in the Pacers moving forward in the series.
Clark has been a staple at Gainbridge Fieldhouse throughout this postseason to cheer for the Pacers. She's come to be regarded as a good-luck charm, with the team having an 8-0 record with her in the stands before Friday night.
In addition to cheering on the Pacers, Clark and Tyrese Haliburton have formed a close friendship since she was drafted by the Fever in April 2024.
ESPN's Ramona Shelburne wrote a story before Game 4 about the bond between Clark and Haliburton that includes going on double-dates with their significant others, as well as constantly discussing ways to improve their game on the court:
"Obviously we both want the ball in our hands in transition," Clark told Shelburne. "That's really where we thrive, playing and pick-and-roll. And it gets hard when teams pick you up full court and deny 94 feet and don't let you get the ball. So I was just leaning on him, 'How can I get open? How do you manage maybe not having to roll every possession in transition? Or having a little give-and-take with yourself? That's something I'm trying to navigate. Obviously this is only Year 2 for me, and he's in whatever, six or five, whatever it is for him. So he's been through it. That's just how we bounce ideas off of each other."
The Pacers missed a golden opportunity to take a commanding 3-1 series lead on Friday night. They stormed Oklahoma City's defense out of the gate with 20 points in the first five minutes and 60 at the end of the first half.
Indiana would open up a 10-point lead with 32 seconds remaining in the third quarter. The Thunder outscored the Pacers 31-17 in the fourth quarter to steal a win and avoid a situation where they had to win three straight games.
Even though the Pacers are still very much in this series, they may not be able to rely on the good vibes Clark brings with her when she's in the stands because of the Fever's upcoming schedule.
Game 5 on Monday is the last time the Fever's schedule doesn't overlap with the NBA Finals. They have to play on Thursday and next Sunday (June 21) when Games 6 and (if necessary) 7 would be played.
